2. Learning To Live a Blessed Life in a Cursed World

3. Do you want to find happiness in the situations of your life?

4. “Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them...” Then He opened His mouth and taught them, (NKJV)

5. “... taught them.” Not the crowd, the disciples The initial requirement for living the blessed life is: to become Jesus’ Disciple

6. “To become an ‘admirer of Jesus’ is much easier than to become a follower of Jesus.” Soren Kierkegaard

7. 1. Purpose of a disciple: A. To learn and understand the ‘master’s’ message If you want to know the master’s message you’re going to have to become a student – but not just a student, and apprentice Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

8. 1. Purpose of a disciple: A.To learn and understand the ‘master’s’ message B. To apply the message to one’s own life You have to master the message Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 (NIV)

9. 1. Purpose of a disciple: A.To learn and understand the ‘master’s’ message B. To apply the message to one’s own life C. To teach the message to others You have to become a ‘fisher’ for men

10. 2. The Life of a disciple: The circumstances of a Disciples life look very much like everyone else’s life – It isn’t in the changing of the circumstances that bring the happiness Jesus speaks of, it is the change of one’s perspective

11. 3. The Requirements of a Christian Disciple 1.To be a disciple of Jesus you must be committed to him above everything else Great crowds were following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, “If you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me. Luke 14: 25-27

12. Principle #1: The people of discipleship are those who live out their lives in their relationship to God through Christ regardless of what is going on around them

13. 3. The Requirements of a Christian Disciple 1.To be a disciple of Jesus you must be committed to him above everything else 2. To be a disciple of Jesus you must be committed to him above everything else

14. Principle #2: The mark of Discipleship is the hand of the Lord upon your life to help turn others to God so that we can rejoice and further encourage them in Him.

15. 3. The Requirements of a Christian Disciple 1.To be a disciple of Jesus you must be committed to him above everything else 2. To be a disciple of Jesus you must be committed to him above everything else 3. To be a disciple of Jesus you must be committed to him above everything else

16. Principle #3: The practice of Discipleship requires a life dedicated to following in the Holy Spirit’s ways, learning the desires of God’s heart (study), and striving earnestly to satisfy them through one’s life.

17. The Christian received the life of Christ. The Disciple gives a life for Christ. The Christian is one who professes faith. The Disciple is one who practices faith. The Christian is internal in his/her conversion. The Disciple is external in his/her conduct. The Christian talks about being saved. The Disciple lives like they are saved.

18. A Disciple is one who is a lifelong learner and follower of Christ determining to go where He goes, do what He does, and to say what He says.